India Press Releases

New U.S. Public-Private Sector Partnership to Support Growing Indian Civil Aviation Sector

U.S. Also to Sign Agreements on Maritime and Surface Transportation Cooperation

14 April 2005

NEW DELHI - The U.S. government and private sector will work together to support India's efforts to upgrade its civil aviation system, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced today. Secretary Mineta unveiled the new U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) at a ceremony hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries and the American Chamber of Commerce in India today.

"This partnership is designed to bring the U.S. government and the U.S. private sector together to better support India in its aggressive program to strengthen its civil aviation system," said Secretary Mineta. "This partnership will show how much our two great nations, and our two great economies, can do when we work together."

The Aviation Cooperation Program is designed to better integrate current U.S. public and private investments in India's airspace system. Under the program, U.S. government and the U.S. aviation industry will work closely with the government of India to identify opportunities to support its aviation system through technical assistance, job training, and personnel exchange programs between the two countries. It is the second such program to be launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation; the first was initiated in partnership with China in 2004, the Secretary added.

The Secretary also announced plans to sign two agreements on transportation cooperation between the U.S. and India during a meeting with Indian Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Shri T.R. Baalu later today. The two new memoranda of cooperation will promote the exchange of technology in the area of maritime transportation and stimulate joint efforts to improve surface transportation, including highways, rapid transit systems, and disabled access.

U.S. government organizations participating in the ACP include the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Foreign and Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The program will be co-chaired by the FAA and the Boeing Co. Other initial U.S.-industry ACP members include Bell Helicopter, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon.

USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey said, "In bringing together the combined resources of the private and public sectors of both of our nations, this program promises to provide long-lasting benefits in this vital sector. USTDA is pleased to be able to support the program through the use of its technical assistance and training program."